Larry Billings will pitch his team against a Needham side who missed out on the championship on the last day of last season.

The new man at the helm admits it’s not the start he would have liked but is confident his players will give it their all.

He said: “We’ve got to go there and do our very best and make it as hard as possible.

“It’s not an ideal start for the season and then there’s Mildenhall at home on Tuesday.”

After an appearance at centre half on Tuesday Joe Harvey, who usually plays in midfield, looks set to retain that place for Saturday while young striker Matt Crawley could be a shock addition to the squad after impressing as a sub against Stowupland.

“I’m only taking 14 to Needham Market and there will be squads of 16 for home games, so there are going to be people who are disappointed,” said Billings. “But I’ve said I’m not going to bring in the number of players used last season, so there will be opportunities for those who aren’t in the team straightaway.”

Rovers’ first home match is on Tuesday with Mildenhall Town the visitors to Hamlet Croft and Billings is encouraging people to visit the Croft and cheer on the team.

He said: “We’ve got a squad full of local lads and there are very few from outside the town and I would encourage people in Haverhill to come and see us.

“It’s a chance to come and see a genuinely local team play at a nigh semi-pro level.

“The more they are supporting us, the more we will feel the town is behind us and motivates us to do something good this season.”

Rovers have been hit by news that Paul Abbott is waiting to see a consultant about the pins in his leg and will miss the opening weeks, and possibly months, of the season, while striker Shaun Banham is out for three months following surgery on his injured ankle.

Paul Stokes has signed but is on holiday so won’t be available this week while Gareth Thomas is available for the Needham and Mildenhall matches before his suspension starts.

Squad from: M Abbott, Abbs, Campbell (GK), Challis, Crawley, Cutts, Deeks, Elkins, Frazier, Hammond, Harvey, Holder, Hollingsworth, Holmes, Hurkett, Jenkin, Jones, Kent, Shearer, Thomas.